Scholarships
Leading Change
The Campaign for USD heightened the law school's focus on providing multi-year scholarships to ensure that qualified students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to come to USD School of Law and graduate without excessive debt burdens that limit their opportunities to pursue the legal careers of their choosing.
Scholarship funds also enable the law school to remain competitive in the recruitment and retention of a highly-qualified and diverse student body. By recruiting strong leaders, we invest in the future of our law school and build upon the strong reputation of USD School of Law.
In 2012, Dean Ferruolo created the Dean's Scholarship Initiative, a fundraising initiative to raise $500,000 each year for student scholarships. This critical scholarship funding aims to strengthen the law school by attracting the highest quality students to USD, retaining the top talent and providing students with the experience necessary to attain jobs after graduation. With thanks to the leadership of the Board of Visitors, USD School of Law continues to make the Dean's Scholarship Initiative a priority. Donors may contribute to the Dean's Scholarship Initiative at any funding level.
Establish Your Own Scholarship Fund
With a gift of $5,000 or more, you can establish and name your own annual scholarship fund. Donors can identify potential objectives of the scholarship and decide whether the scholarship should be need and/or merit based. Named scholarships are critical to the recruitment and retention of outstanding students and are carefully coordinated with other financial aid. By investing in scholarships, you make an impact on current and prospective students, as well as the future of USD School of Law.
Annual Named Scholarship
For a $5,000 minimum donation, you can establish a named scholarship award at USD School of Law. You will have the opportunity to set the criteria for the scholarship and identify potential objectives of the award. Named scholarships enable students to graduate without excessive debt burdens that limit their opportunities to pursue the legal careers of their choosing. Scholarships, one of the law school's top fundraising priorities, also enable the law school to remain competitive in the recruitment and retention of a highly qualified and diverse student body.
Learn more in the Named Scholarship brochure (PDF)
Legacy Endowed Scholarship
With a 5-year pledge (minimum $75,000), you can establish a current-use annual named scholarship award, while building an endowed scholarship that, once fully funded, will generate sufficient resources to award your annual named scholarship award in perpetuity. This gift enables you to make an immediate impact at USD School of Law, while planning for the future and long-range planning of the law school and securing the legacy of your gift forever.
Learn more in the Legacy Endowed Scholarship brochure (PDF)
Donor Benefits
- Meet annual recipient(s) at USD's annual scholarship luncheon
- Develop personal connections with students who benefit from your generosity
- Honor or memorialize anyone you designate
- Promote name/firm recognition among current law students and alumni
See a description of many of our current named scholarships.
For more information about giving to the law school's scholarship funds or about starting your own scholarship, please contact:
DEBBIE RIDER, '84 (JD)
Director of Development
(619) 260-5955
djrider@sandiego.edu